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Fine Jewelry University Articles matching: “Aquamarine gemstones”
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Gem in the Spotlight: Aquamarine
…those who wore them. Ancient Indians wore aquamarine in amulets, and the Egyptians carved it into talismans. In the Middle Ages, aquamarine was believed to guarantee a happy marriage and inspire mutual fidelity in newlyweds. Notable Aquamarine Gemstones The largest gem-quality aquamarine gemstone ever mined was 19 inches long. The largest cut aquamarine is named the Dom Pedro and is an astounding 10,363 carats. It measures 14 inches long and is currently on display in the Smithsonian…
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Gem in the Spotlight: Morganite
…. Morganite has an impressive family tree. It is a beryl gem which puts it in the same family as emerald and aquamarine. Because of its association with emerald it is sometimes called “Pink Emerald”. Other names for Morganite are “Pink Beryl… gravity is 2.67 – 2.90. These characteristics help identify Morganite as beryl and distinguish it from other pink gemstones. Morganite is commonly heat treated to remove yellow and orange hues and to achieve a purely pink stone. This type of …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Spinel
…mistake. Since then many processes have been used and perfected to create spinel in even more colors than it is naturally found in. Because of how easily it can be created in a lab, synthetic spinel has been used to imitate many other gemstones (ruby, sapphire, tourmaline, zircon, etc.). In fact, the ubiquity of synthetic spinel may be part of the reason why most people have been slow to appreciate natural spinel in its own right. Interestingly, most lab-created spinel has a…
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Gem in the Spotlight: Tsavorite Garnet
… grossularite doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. So, a proper name was definitely in order. The nomenclature of gemstones follows certain rules, and according to modern mineralogical methods, gemstones are given a name which ends in “-ite”. … the name Tsavorite. It is also less commonly referred to as Tsavolite. Mythology and Lore Unlike many of the other gemstones we write about, Tsavorite does not have a rich history or lore, given its recent discovery. That said, as a member of…
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Gem in the Spotlight: Tourmaline
… speaking, tourmaline is its own mineral and not a species or member of a different family (unlike emerald and aquamarine, for example, which are members of the beryl family). It has a refractive index of 1.624 to 1.644 and a Mohs hardness of 7… for daily wear. Because it isn’t exceptionally hard (Mohs hardness of 7-7.5), it should be stored away from other gemstones that could potentially damage it. Tourmaline should not be put into an ultrasonic cleaner or steam cleaned, and should…
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Gem in the Spotlight: Alexandrite
…, warm soapy water and a soft-bristled brush are always the safest. With its innate durability and proper care a high-quality stone will last for generations. Why Alexandrite? Alexandrite is simply one of the most magnificent gemstones that exists. Its almost magical ability to change color has captivated our hearts and minds for generations. Alexandrite is one of June’s birthstones (along with moonstone and pearl) making it a great gift for that special someone with a …
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The Birthstones
…hunters, guard against contagious diseases, and control evil thoughts. Learn more about Amethyst March’s Birthstone: Aquamarine Originating its name from the Latin “aqua marina” meaning “sea water”, the aquamarine is a light blue to greenish … when it’s a shade of darker blue. Sailors often wore amulets of aquamarine to give them courage and tame the sea. Aquamarine was used to bring happiness, eternal youth, and control passion. In ancient times the aquamarine was believed to …
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Gem in the Spotlight: Jade
Jade has one of the richest heritages of all gemstones. People have been using jade from as early as 6,000 BC, and it has been an incredibly important part of Asian, Central American, and North American history ever since. But, what is jade, and what has given it such a prominent place in…
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Gem in the Spotlight: Blue Zircon
Zircon may be last in the alphabet of gemstones, but it is first in sparkle. The crystal structure of zircon creates one of the liveliest displays found in any colored gem. In fact, before any of the manmade diamond simulates were made, the colorless version of zircon was used in …
